Brick packaging device and method



Julie 15,- 1965 l. G. CRUCKSHANK BRICK PACKAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FiledSept. 1'7, .1962

United States Patent 0.

3,189,175 BRICK PACKAGING DEVICE AND WTHOD Ira G. Cruckshank, NewBritain, Conn., assignor of onehalt' to International Paper Company, NewYork, N.Y.,

a corporation of New York, and one-half to The Stanley Works, NewBritain, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Sept. 17, 1962,SenNo. 223,996

9 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) This invention relates to a brick packagingdevice and method, and, more particularly, to a packaging arrangementwherein a plurality of bricks are uniquely integrated for relocation butwherein the arrangement can be selectively reduced in size as bricks arerequired.

It will be appreciated at the outset that the term brick as used hereincomprehends a variety ofsizes and materials employed in masonryconstruction. For the sake of illustration, common brick is employed.

Although bricks have been packaged heretofore, the packaging methodswere inadequate in protecting the bricks against damage duringrelocation and also the packaging could not be broken down piecemeal toield smaller arrangements of bricks as the need arose. These drawbacksof the prior art are solved by the instant invention, and the provisionsof a packaging device and method for the achievement of this constitutesan important object of this invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brick pack panelsuitable for interpositioning within a generally cubical arrangement ofbricks wherein the panel is characterized by a advantageous resiliencyto cushion the bricks, particularly during relocation thereof.

Still another object is to provide a brick pack panel wherein the panelis selectively detachable into discrete portions so as to yield smallerarrangements of bricks than those present in the pack originallysupported by the panel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the detailsof constructoin and operation set down in this specification.

The invention is shown, in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment,in the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of abrick pack constructed according to teachings of the invention, partlybroken away to reveal internal portions;

FIG. 2 is a plan section on the line 2- -2 of FIG. 1, with parts brokenaway;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, partially broken away, of theinventive panel; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the parts in the circle A of FIG. 1.

in the illustration given and with particular reference to FIG. 1, acubical arrangement of bricks is seen made up, in the example given, ofbricks across, 4 bricks long, and 8 bricks high. Employing standardAmerican bricks which measure 2% x 3%" x 8", a general cubicalarrangement is provided measuring 33%" in Width, 32 in length, and 30"in height (approximately). It will be appreciated that there arevariations in the size of bricks, stemming in one instance at least fromirregularity of surfaces.

The brick pack of FIG. 1 is generally designated by the numeral 10, andis seen to be made up of a plurality of vertically-related layers 11a,11b, 110, etc. Interposed between the layers 11b and 110 is theinventive panel, generally designated by the numeral 12 and which isseen in FIG. 3. The panel 12 is substantially coextensive with the plandimensions developed by the pack 10, and in the illustration givenmeasures 32" square.

3,l3,l75 Patented June 15, 1965 It will be appreciated that each layer11a, 11b, 110, etc. is made up of bricks arranged in end-to-end, side byside, contacting relation, so as to define four subarrangements, in theillustration given each one brick long by 15 bricks wide, therebydefining a plurality of rows. For each such sub-arrangement of bricksthere is provided an encircling band 13 which is suitably connected atthe superposed ends thereof by a suitable fastening element as at 14Where the bands 13 go around the corner edges 15 of the pack, there isprovided an L-shaped protector strip 16.

The panel 12, in the illustration given, is interposed between layers11b and 110, and the layer 11b has adjacent rows of bricks removed as at1'7 and 18 to accommodate the tines of a fork lift truck, or the like,Whereby the pack is adapted to be elevated for repositioning.Alternatively, the spaces 17 and 18 need not be provided, and the entirepack lifted from below, assuming the same to be provided on a pallet, orthe like.

In any event, an advantageous interconnection between the various bricksis provided by the panel 12, which is seen to be constructed ofcorrugated paperboard suitably reinforced by metal straps. As seen inFIG. 3, the panel 12 is made up of outer liners 19 and 20, which areadhesively united to a corrugated paperboard core 21. Interposed betweenthe core 21 and the liner 2%) are a plurality of flat resilient metalstraps 22. In one embodiment of the invention, the liners 19 and 20 areconstructed of 40 lb. perine Kraft paper, with the core beingconstructed of 36 lb. perine Kraft paper. The straps are constructed of0.023 black steel having a Widthof The straps are placed 8" apart andthus coincide with about the center of the sub-arrangement of brickswith which each strap is associated.

Additionally, the panel 12 is weakened along spacedapart, parallel lines23, which lines extend parallel to the straps and which are enteredtherebetween. In the illustration given, the lines of weakness arespaced apart on 8 centers and correspond to the edges of the bricks ineach sub-arrangement. The weakness lines 23 may be provided by scoring,using a scoring wheel, for more ready detachment of sub-arrangements ofbricks. Alternatively, the panels may be perforated, as shown in FIGS. 1and 3. The lines of weakness or perforation extend perpendicular to thelength of the flutes making up the corrugated core, as is also readilyappreciated from a consideration of FIG. 3.

In the operation of the device, the bricks are laid down in individuallayers 11a and 11b, for example, after which the panel 12 is installedinplace. With the bands 13 in place underlying the layer 11a, additionallayers are superposed on the panel 12 to develop the pack 10 seen inFIG. 1. Thereafter, the cornerprotectors 16 are installed and the bands13 connected at the ends by means of fasteners or connectors 14. Thecorner protectors 16 may advantageously include corrugated paperboardfolded on itself to develop an L-shaped construction as by scoring.

With the pack 11) developed as seen, the tines of a fork lift truck (notshown) are readily insertable into the openings 17 and 18 for moving thepack from place to place. At the site of installation, the pack can beselectively opened by virtue of cutting the corner protectors 16 atpoints aligned with the lines of weakness 23. Thus, a plurality ofsub-arrangements such as are designated 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d areavailable, each including, in the illustration given, 8 bricks high and15 bricks across. These sub-arrangements are confined in an integratedrelation until the particular strap 13 associated therewith is snippedor otherwise severed.

During the time the bricks are confined in either the overallarrangement or a sub-arrangement, the panel 12 serves to protect thebricks against damage by virtue of its compressibility. The compressiblenature of the panel 12 serves to bind the cubical arrangement of brickstogether, making up for dimensional irregularities in the bricks.

When the pack is snapped apart along the weakness lines 23, separatesections or sub-arrangements of bricks are developed which are moreeasily handleable by the bricklayers, and without the need of expensiveequipment for locating the brick eificiently for the masons use. Iprefer to have the pack made up as shown, employing the protector stripson each of the two top edges of the cube. Optimally, the protector strip16 may include a very thin steel strap 25 (see FIG. 4) and it functionsto protect the corners of the brick as the straps 13 are tied together,as well as to provide a front and back tie. In some circumstances, itmay be advantageous to provide protectors on the bottom edges of thepack 10. However, under such circumstances, there is no need for thefront and 'back tie, since this is provided through the medium of thepanel 12.

It will be appreciated that other paperboard specifications may beemployed-as well as other brick arrangements-for example; 8 bricks highby 13 wide which, with 4 bricks removed from a course gives 100. Alsothe bricks vary so that the resiliency provided by the panel compensatesfor deviation in manufacturing tolerances. This resiliency improves thepanel retentively for the bricks.

When in the foregoing specification a detailed description of anembodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose ofexplanation thereof, many variations in the details herein given may bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A packaging component for bricks, comprising a generally rectangularpanel constructed of corrugated paperboard,

a plurality of elongated flat metal straps arranged in spaced-apart,parallel relation and positioned interiorly of said panel,

said paperboard panel being weaked along a plurality of spaced-apartlines parallel to the length of said straps, one line of weakness beingpositioned between each pair of straps.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said straps extend perpendicularlyto the length of the flutes of said corrugated paperboard panel.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which said lines of weakness compriseperforations.

4. A brick package, comprising a plurality of bricks arranged inlayered, side-by-side, end-to-end aligned relation to form a generallyrectangular solid arrangement wherein the package has a width at leastequal to the length of two bricks,

a metal strap-reinforced corrugated paperboard panel interposed betweena pair of adjacent brick layers, lines of bricks being omitted from saidarrangement to provide openings for the receipt of lifting means, and

a plurality of bands about said arrangement to define a pluralityofsub-arrangements,

, said panel'being equipped with spaced-apart lines of weakness betweenthe straps thereof, whereby said panel is segmentable to provideindividual sub-arrangements.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said package is equipped with aprotector at a plurality of corner edges thereof confined by said bands,each of said protectors including a metal strap.

6. A brick pack, comprising a plurality of bricks arranged inmulti-layered, contacting relation to form a generally rectangularsolid, with each layer having bricks arranged therein in alignedend-to-end relation to form lines of bricks in side-by-side relation toform rows of bricks,

a generally flat rectangular panel positioned between a pair ofintermediate layers, said panel being substantially coextensive withsaid intermediate layers and comprising paperboard having a corrugatedcore adhesively confined between paper liners,

a plurality of flat, resilient steel straps positioned interiorly ofsaid panel in contact with said core and extending perpendicularly tothe length of the flutes defining said core, a strap being provided foreach row of bricks positioned generally centrally of said brick row, and

a plurality of resilient steel bands about said arrangement, one bandfor each strap and in general alignment therewith, said panel beingperforated between rows of bricks, whereby said arrangement isselectively separable into a plurality of multi-rowed, multilayered,single brick length sub-arrangements.

7. The structureof claim 6 in which said panel separates said pack intotwo unequal groups of layers, the larger group having corner edgesequipped with elongated protectors, said protectors being constructed ofcorrugated paperboard folded on itself to define an L shape and beingconfined in place by said bands.

8. The structure of claim 7 in which said protectors are equipped withelongated steel straps extending perpendicularly to the length of thepanel straps.

9. In a method of brick handling, the steps of arranging bricks in anend-to-end, side-by-side, multilayered arrangement to define a generallyrectangular solid,

interposing a metal strap-reinforced corrugated paperboard .panelbetween adjacent intermediate layers of said arrangement,

banding said arrangement to provide a liftable unit,

and

severing said panel from end to end between the traps thereof. toprovide a multi-layered sub-unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 952,074 3/10Ferres 161l40 1,527,021 2/25 Wandel 229-49 2,671,731 3/54 Vogt 206-562,778,491 1/57 Taylor et al 206 2,869,721 1/59 Baumer 20665 2,896,781 7/59 Demarest 206-65 3,014,631 12/61 Fischer et al 229-14 3,077,982 2/63Berner 206-65 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. GEORGE O. RALSTON,Examiner.

4. A BRICK PACKAGE, COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF BRICKS ARRANGED INLAYERED, SIDE-BY-SIDE, END-TO-END ALIGNED RELATION TO FORM A GENERALLYRECTANGULAR SOLID ARRANGEMENT WHEREIN THE PACKAGE HAS A WIDTH AT LEASTEQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF TWO BRICKS, A METAL STRAP-REINFORCED CORRUGATEDPAPERBOARD PANEL INTERPOSED BETWEEN A PAIR OF ADJACENT BRICK LAYERS,LINES OF BRICKS BEING OMITTED FROM SAID ARRANGEMENT TO PROVIDE OPENINGSFOR THE RECEIPT OF LIFTING MEANS, AND A PLURALITY OF BANDS ABOUT SAIDARRANGEMENT TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF SUB-ARRANGEMENTS,